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Should a Phlebotomist use alcohol to clean the blood draw site when testing for alcohol levels?

1) Yes, alcohol should be used to clean the blood draw site
2) No, alcohol should not be used to clean the blood draw site
3) I'm not sure

User Daynelle
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1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

Phlebotomists should not use alcohol to clean the blood draw site for alcohol testing; they must use alternate antiseptics to avoid sample contamination. Thus, the correct answer is "No, alcohol should not be used to clean the blood draw site" (option 2)

Step-by-step explanation:

A phlebotomist should not use alcohol to clean the blood draw site when testing for blood alcohol levels. Using an alcohol-based antiseptic could potentially contaminate the sample and result in a false high blood alcohol reading. Instead, phlebotomists are trained to use an alternate cleansing agent such as povidone-iodine, chlorhexidine, or another alcohol-free antiseptic to prepare the site for venipuncture. Ensuring the accuracy of the blood test is crucial, especially in the contexts of medical diagnosis, legal cases, or employment screenings where alcohol levels may be a critical factor.

Thus, the correct answer is option 2.

User Marcal
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